ABS-CBN News

MANILA - The government has to move with "urgency" to protect the 1.4 million Filipinos working in the business process outsourcing industry who might be displaced by the industry's shift to artificial intelligence, a lawmaker said.

Possible job losses "might be higher" than the 44,000 estimated by an industry group last year, Sen. Bam Aquino, chairman of the Senate Science Committee, said after a hearing on Monday.

The government should offer scholarships and vouchers from the Technical Education and Skill Development Authority to help BPO workers take advantage of new job opportunities with AI, Aquino said.